Selena Gomez's best friend gave her a kidney

Selena Gomez revealed that she underwent a kidney transplant due to her ongoing fight with Lupus disease

Celebrities take to social media to announce various life and career highpoints; baby announcements and album releases are a necessary inclusion to your morning scroll (/stalk). Less often though, do celebrities share or uncover the struggles and low points they are going through. The most followed person in the world, Selena Gomez opened up to her 126 million Instagram followers overnight announcing that she had recently underwent a kidney transplant as a result of her struggle with Lupus.

Posting a series of photos the singer wrote: "I'm very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn't promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering."

The images show Gomez hospital ridden, holding hands with her friend lying next to her. "There aren't words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis," Gomez wrote. The star also shared two images of the scars across her abdomen.

Gomez has been very open about her Lupus condition; an autoimmune disease where the body attacks its own natural tissue, causing damage to the brain, heart and kidneys. Among the physical side effects are various mental symptoms including depression, anxiety and panic attacks. Women at child-bearing age are of the most affected by the disease. While other physical diseases like cancer are widely known and discussed, Lupus remains largely misunderstood.

In 2014 the star cancelled multiple shoes to undergo chemotherapy for her Lupus diagnosis (although at this time it was assumed by tabloids that she had entered rehab due to depression). In 2016, the star released a statement saying: "As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways... I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off."

Gomez wrote that she looks forward to sharing the journey with her fans when her health is in a better condition.

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